A DESCRIPTIVE REPORT OF THE SPEAKING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5914, 28 April 1887, Page 3

A DESCRIPTIVE REPORT OF THE SPEAKING.

[FROM OUB OWN COEREBPONDENT.] The expected debate upon the Addrees-in-Heply ended in a fizzle. Like a damp squib, it eplufctered a little at first, then blazed out suddenly, and all was over in a moment. Mr P. H. Praser, the mover of the Address, evidently did not feel at home in the task allotted to him. It requires a sort of moral Hercules to stand up for the first time in his place in the House and deliver an oration before that critical and curious audience, and if Mr Fraser -was not a success it was because circumstances were against him. After expressing approval of sundry clauses in the Speech, he suddenly wound up by remarking that he had said enough to convince the Hcuse that the motion ought to be carried. Llr Jonos seconded the motion, but he was bo terribly nervous that not a dozen consecutive words reached the gallery, and those which did were not very remarkable for originality. However, it is qaite likely that both these new members will do better later on. Their addresses may be described as the splutter of the squib ; those which followed were the sudden blaze. Major Atkinson, with, marked sarcasm, congratulated the previous speakers upon their addresses, seeing, he added, "that they had nothing before them on which to speak" Then he went on to accuee the Government of being unready to meet the House, and offered to agree to an adjournment until they had consulted each other personally instead of by telegram. He declined to debate so bald a speech as the one read by the Governor, and advised the Hoii3e not to go on with any feueinesa until the Representation Bill and the financial position of the Colony were placed before them . Tliiß of cour t e n ettled the Pre mier, who replied with Borne warmth. He said Government had never yet made a single pledge they had not faithfully kept. They were always ready to meet the House and were as prepared as ever. i (Ironical Opposition laughter followed this remark.) The fact was the leader of the Opposition had no policy of his own, and was anxious to see what the Woveroment were going to <30, in order to Snow how to act. (Here the Government party had a laugh.) Had Major Atkinson been able to fcame a bill of indictment against the Government he would not have hesitated to do so. The Premier spoke with, considerable warmth, and when he concluded silence reigned in the chambers until the speaker put the question. No one feeling inclined to speak after thia, the motion was immediately agreed to upon the voices. Thus ended the first debate of the session. Before the financial question comes on for discussion, the Representation Bill will have to be pretty far advanced, and that will probably come on for second reading on Friday. NEW BILLS. Quite a dozen Bi)l6 were given notice of to-day, among others the Representation Bill by the Premier, and the following by Sir Julius Vogel :— Local Authorities Jubilee Expenditure Bill, Post Office Act Amendment Bill, Female Franchise Bill, Government Loans to Local Bodies Amendment Bill, and Local Bodies Loans Act Amendment Bill. Mr Taylor's Corporations Act Amendment Bill, of which he gave notice to-day, is to amend the Act by giving boroughs a right to erect gasworks. The Employment of Females Act, of which Sir R. Stout has given notice, is the measure which the late Mr Brad3haw introduced last session, but which, after passing the Lower House, failed in the Legislative Council. It provides for the limitation of age to 12 years, the prohibition of employment after hours of saleswomen, and makes obstruction of inspection a penal offence. MrTurnbull intends to have the whole of the Hall budnesa on the floor of the House. He holds that there has been a gross miacaniage of justice, and that the impression created throughout the country over the matter is that there is one law for the rich and oce for the poor. Mr BallaDce will give notice of his Land Acquisition Bill to-morrow or Friday.